Laura, Coen, Weipa, Bamaga, Thursday Island
Laura, sixty kilometres up the road from Lakeland, marks the beginning of Cape York Peninsula. It's a small township with a general store, petrol station, post office and a pub. Close by is Lakefield National Park, Queensland's second largest, renowned for it's wetlands and abundant wildlife. The most accessible park on the Cape, is also the only one where fishing is permitted. To the south of town is Split Rock and the Quinkan Aboriginal rock-art galleries, situated in the spectacular sandstone country.
The Roadhouse's of Hahn River and Musgrave are the only signs of civilisation on the 250km trip north to Coen. Coen's the main centre of the peninsula and has two general stores, a police station, and a pub. The region's community converges here in August for an annual horse racing carnival.
250kms further north-west and 130kms off the main track via Archer River Roadhouse, is the township of Weipa. This small mining town provides a comprehensive range of services and facilities for travellers as well as interesting tours of the mining operation itself. National Parks, fantastic country and great fishing are all available nearby, for the well equipped and well prepared explorers only.
Once back on the main track, it's a another 250kms north to the tip from Batavia Downs. It's a rough road with several river crossings amid untamed wilderness and not for the faint hearted. The popular Indian Head Falls swimming and camping area is on the way and the best place for a break.
At the tip of the peninsula lies the predominantly Torres Strait Islander community of Bamaga. The town has a hospital, bank, supermarket and service station. The settlement of Seisia nearby has a camping ground with units, and forty kilometres away at the actual Cape York, are two resorts which also have camping facilities. Thursday Island, the best known of all Torres Strait Islands, is close by.
